The UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP Card) stands as a crucial document in the immigration process for the United Kingdom, especially if you are a resident in UK. Read this blog to understand what are BRP cards, how they facilitate your life in the UK, how to collect your BRP once you enter UK and much more.

A Biometric Residence Permit is the evidence of your right to live, work, or study in the UK. It is also useful when you are opening a UK bank account or applying for driver’s licence.

Understanding the concept of a visa vignette is pivotal. A visa vignette is different from a BRP. It is mainly concerned during the initial entry into the UK. If you receive a UK visa lasting over six months, you typically receive a vignette visa. This visa vignette, a sticker placed in your passport upon approval of your entry clearance application, isn’t the actual visa. It permits entry into the country, after which you’re required to obtain your Biometric Residence Permit, confirming your right to stay.

You won’t need a separate application for a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP Card)- if you are granted a visa, or if you are replacing an old document. Instead, as part of the visa or immigration process for stays over 6 months, you will have to enrol your biometric details, including fingerprints, a facial scan, and signature. Children under 16 require a parent or guardian during enrolment, although those under 5 need not provide fingerprints.

Applying within the UK involves visiting UKVCAS, a service and support center, or a post office branch, with a fee of £19.20. Your BRP, if applied for within the UK, will be dispatched to the address provided in your application form, typically arriving within 10 working days after receiving the Home Office decision letter. A person over 18 must receive the BRP, showing proof of identity like a passport or driving license.

For applications outside the UK, you need to enrol biometrics at an overseas Visa Application Centre (VAC). Once in the UK, you’ll collect your BRP, usually before the vignette sticker’s expiry or within 10 days of arrival, whichever is later. Applicants can either collect their BRPs from the post office or from an alternative collection location, whereby you will be required to collect your BRP from your sponsor. For the post office collection, check your decision letter for the expected date and designated post office. No appointment is necessary for your BRP collection. Simply bring the passport holding your visa vignette when visiting the specified Post Office branch.

A BRP offers several advantages to immigrants in the UK-

1. It incorporates advanced security features, ensuring a higher level of protection against identity fraud and unauthorized use
2. The BRP serves as a convenient form of identification especially for immigrants, streamlining various official processes
3. It plays a pivotal role in accessing a wide array of public services within the UK, facilitating smoother interactions and engagements with governmental and essential service entities

The Home Office initially intended to replace all BRP cards set to expire by December 31, 2024, with new BRP cards for the remaining leave duration. The roll-out for this replacement was scheduled for the latter part of 2024.

However, the updated plan now involves granting holders of these cards full access to their immigration status information via the view in early 2024, before the cards start expiring. This online service will mirror the usage of BRP cards, providing access to leave expiry details online rather than through a physical card.

The move towards an online immigration status system aims to streamline processes, reduce reliance on physical documents, and offer greater accessibility and convenience to individuals managing their immigration statuses in the UK.

The Biometric Residence Permit (BRP Card)- plays a pivotal role in confirming and maintaining one’s immigration status in the UK, with upcoming changes anticipated to transition from physical BRP cards to a digital platform for verifying immigration statuses.